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27. Switzerland has mandatory military service

Thu Apr 28, 2016, 01:49 PM

Apr 2016

in the Swiss Army for all able-bodied male citizens who are conscripted when they reach the age of majority.

People who are unfit for service, where fitness are exempted from service but pay an additional 3% of annual income tax until the age of 30, unless they are affected by a disability.

Unfit defined as "satisfying physically, intellectually and mentally requirements for military service or civil protection service and being capable of accomplishing these services without harming oneself or others"
http://www.indexmundi.com/switzerland/military_service_age_and_obligation.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/23/world/europe/swiss-vote-to-keep-mandatory-army-service.html?_r=0

Some people in Switzerland have tried dual citizenships to avoid service.

I agree with Kerry. When everyone, including the wealthy have something to lose , we would probably avoid going to war.

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Kerry expresses reservations about all-volunteer U.S. military [View all] Judi Lynn Apr 2016 OP

I hope he's joking; ericson00 Apr 2016 #1

He wasn't referring to a draft. He was... YvonneCa Apr 2016 #8

It sounds like he's talking about some kind of forced conscription. How would it be pnwmom Apr 2016 #11

I remember VietNam and the draft. And it's effect on my family and friends. That is not... YvonneCa Apr 2016 #21

His words are being used by others to promote a military draft. If what he was talking about pnwmom Apr 2016 #37

We agree. n/t YvonneCa Apr 2016 #40

Switzerland has mandatory military service puffy socks Apr 2016 #27

Then you learned very little from OUR history. A draft does NOT reduce the likelihood pnwmom Apr 2016 #36

Germans have a system like this... TipTok Apr 2016 #38

But if too many people chose the civil option, they'd be forced into the military, if the military pnwmom Apr 2016 #39

That's what we have now... TipTok Apr 2016 #43

We needed it in WWII and to fight the United Nations war in Korea, come to think of it, we braddy Apr 2016 #9

What? Did this man not argue against such policy years ago? Go away john your time is done AuntPatsy Apr 2016 #2

Interesting. Armed Services Committee approved a measure requiring women to register Autumn Apr 2016 #3

Since all areas are now open to women, they should be required to register. 7962 Apr 2016 #4

The hell they should. We don't have an Equal Rights Amendment today because pnwmom Apr 2016 #12

Yes, they certainly should. All positions are finally open to women. 7962 Apr 2016 #17

I think this is a legitmate concern. snot Apr 2016 #5

+1 n/t Peregrine Took Apr 2016 #33

Not a problem. The real estate swindler becomes king, you just know people will be flocking jtuck004 Apr 2016 #6

I am sure his point was missed based on the headline. wisteria Apr 2016 #7

+1! BlueMTexpat Apr 2016 #30

As far as the draft goes elmac Apr 2016 #10

Wrong. We had a draft during the Vietnam era and that led to 50,000 deaths in a pointless war pnwmom Apr 2016 #13

Oh yes, a 13 year war is always better then a 1000 day war elmac Apr 2016 #41

50,000 American deaths in Vietnam and it lasted a lot longer than 1000 days. pnwmom Apr 2016 #42

I don't believe conscription makes a difference in the conflicts. HereSince1628 Apr 2016 #14

The 1% know the path we are on and don't want their children forced on to it. /nt NCjack Apr 2016 #15

I believe in the draft. I think that all able-bodied fellas (Trump's boys and Romney's bunch) secondwind Apr 2016 #16

Thats actually an urban myth. The poor are actually under represented. 7962 Apr 2016 #18

Last time I looked at racial demographics in the military-- Igel Apr 2016 #24

Yes, many times Hispanics are lumped in as "white". Dont know why. 7962 Apr 2016 #34

I'm all in for a draft. unhappycamper Apr 2016 #19

The position is not without merit. malthaussen Apr 2016 #20

Hey 7962 . . FairWinds Apr 2016 #22

And as a Vietnam vet, I would argue that the draft . . FairWinds Apr 2016 #23

Less war if we reinstitute the draft? Elmer S. E. Dump Apr 2016 #25

Using the military to secure markets is the problem, John. arcane1 Apr 2016 #26

Does he mean like GW served? EndElectoral Apr 2016 #28

Give back? Jean Genie Apr 2016 #29

he's over 30: let's not trust him! MisterP Apr 2016 #31

I know it's not popular around here, but... EdwardBernays Apr 2016 #32

what has our country done for us lately? yurbud Apr 2016 #35